writersfearofrecognition

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

Chapter 7:

„i think this was a stupid idea…“ he mutters once we come to a stop from exhaustion. the alcohol is wearing off and we’re in the middle of the woods, with someone screaming.

„at least we’re not alone.“ „yeah, well uh- i don’t want both of us to die.“ he points out.

i snort and sigh.

„let’s go, the camp is this way.“

i pull him further along and he grips my hand tighter, intertwining our hands.

under normal circumstances i would die right now, but yeah.

scary woods.

we run further until i hear some animal…screaming?

„fuck.“

we both step backwards, Jacob behind me.

„it’s a hog. but still. dangerous if they had kids.“ i whisper and Jacob walks back further, pulling me with him.

„Jak-.“

„AHHH! Wahhh- What?!“

„Jacob!“

Jacob got dragged into the air by his foot.

„Oh my god, Jake!“

„uh- wait.“ he tried to drag himself up to untie it but someone emerged from the bushes before he could.

„Oh fuck. fuck. fuck.“

„run, (Y/N).“ Jacob says but i stay put.

„i’m not leaving you.“ i whisper and walk next to him, my hands ready. for something.

fuuuuck. that’s not how summer camp’s are advertised.

„hey we kinda had a bad day, we’re searching for our friend, she screamed and uh.“ i point at Jacob upside down and the man looks at him then at me.

oh god.

the huge man grabs my arms and looks me up and down before getting out a weird flask and throwing it over my head.

i gasp but quickly close my mouth again as the liquid runs over my face.

„dude, let her go, man. that’s my girlfriend!“

the man pays Jacob no mind and smears to liquid over me while i winch with my eyes closed.

the grip on my arms tightens and he gets out a knife with his other.

i struggle silently and Jacob starts screaming.

„Jesus christ- what the fuck are you doing?!“

he drags me away from Jacob and i try to grab his arm but he falls down before i can reach it.

„Bro get your hands off her!“ he protests from the ground.

the man had cut him down.

„oh my god, thank you. thank you so much. fuck.“ i try to get to Jacob but he still didn’t let me go.

Jacob was not so grateful. „god- son of a bitch…“

„shhh.“ the man says to us both, i shut up, Jacob frowns and looks at my arm.

the man kneels down to him and also smears him with that weird smelling stuff. only now i see what is it.

red.

„is that-.“

„shhh.“ he mutters, „it’s for your own good.“

he then stands up, looks at a device in his hand and finally lets my arm go.

„fuck.“

i sit next to Jacob, touching him to look if he is alright.

the man disappears in the meantime.

„what the fuck?“

„i don’t know. we have to get back. i don’t want to be out here anymore.“

„what the fuck?“ he asks again while i help him stand up and we both run further. „Are you okay? did he touch you?“

„i mean- kinda.“

„I’ll kill him.“

„okay Jacob, let’s get back to the others.“

„no i’m serious. i’ll kill him.“

21:20

i guide him back to the fire pit and we're met with Ryan and the gun in his hand.

„Wait no. no. no. no. no. don’t shoot, don’t shoot!“

„Oh my God what happened?“ the first thing i see is Nick bleeding out on the floor.

„holy shit…“ Jacob mutters and grips my hand even tighter.

„Nick and Abi were attacked. in the woods.“

„fuck.“ Jacob mutters.

„wait…where is Emma?“ i ask after making a head count.

„she wanted to look for you guys.“

„oh fuck.“ i mutter.

„she’s probably fine right? when we were there, there was nothing…“

„yeah…fuck.“ i still swear, „I shouldn’t have run off, i’m sorry.“ i blur out and they just nod slowly, taking in the situation.

„we’re probably going to head back to the lodge.“ Kaitlyn says and i nod.

„also, why are you covered in…what i hope is strawberry jelly?“, Ryan mutters.

„Oh, yeah, no, um…I’m pretty sure it’s blood…“ Jacob looks at me before continuing, „there was this guy with like um…he had like a bottle. it’s like- i dunno dude it’s like a really long story.“

„Ew.“ Kaitlyn mumbles and i sigh.

„yeah. eh. super fucked up.“

„well. what do we do?“ Ryan asks and i swallow.

„Nick to the lodge, we…also? i guess. it’s probably not more dangerous in there. and about Emma.“

Ryan huffs. „we don’t even know if she’s in danger.“

Jacob gives him a weird look, „she’s out there alone, with a creepy guy that likes to grab women. what the fuck dude?“ „yeah well, maybe she doesn’t meet him, she won’t wander around the woods like you two.“

„dude.“ i mutter.

where’s the empathy?

Jacob takes a swing but i push against his chest before he could hit Ryan.

„dude.“ i give him a mean look.

where’s the team work?

„He’s trying to piss me off.“ „We’re in a real mess here guys. you’re acting like pricks. both of you.“ Kaitlyn argues.

„yeah. we’re a team.“ i pull Jacob back even further.

„i want to go to the lodge.“ i say to Kaitlyn and she nods in approvement. „we have a gun, so we should be safer than…i dunno.“ Jacob fumbles.

„alright,“ Kaitlyn ignored his comment, „Jacob, can you carry him from here to…the lodge?“

„yeah no. my back’s fucked,“ he winches and i grab his arm in concern.

„okay…“

Ryan holds up his hand, „i have an idea.“

21:43

we were back at the lodge, Abigail most concerned about Nick while i looked out for Jacob’s back and was trying to understand Nick’s accident.

„They were attacked by an animal? that? did an animal?“

what kinda animal-

„eh yeah, Abigail said maybe a bear.“ Kaitlyn says while assisting Nick.

„fuck…that was not a bear.“

a bear would swipe once, not bite into his leg like a…dog.

„what else should it be?“ Jacob asks while watching.

„i know my animals.“ i retort and he doesn’t say anything.

„i’m not leaving your side that’s for sure.“ he mutters.

„alright, Abi to the nurse's office, i’ll get something eat…“ „i’ll help Abi with cleaning up…and we need to clean you up too.“ i say to Jacob and he huffs.

inside the nurses office Jacob helps Nick onto the spreader and sits down next to him.

„okay, shirt off.“ i motion Jacob and he grins up at me.

„i always wanted you to say that to me.“

„Jacob…“ Nick groans annoyed, „yeah not the time.“ i assert and he swallows and takes off his shirts while Abi works on Nick’s leg.

i bite my lip while watching Jacob twist and he raises his brows at me.

„should we…take this off?“ i ask about the red stuff to distract him.

„that guy said it helps…“ i mutter to myself. „that guy that flung you around like a rag doll.“ he interjects.

„Jacob…he didn’t hurt either of us. maybe those traps weren’t even by him. maybe…i don’t know. i won’t take it off. it’s not burning our skin off so…“

„yeah i dunno.“

„let me look at your back.“

„dominant…“ he teases.

i squint and he huffs a laugh while turning his back to me.

there were a lot of small cuts, most of them bleeding but nothing mayor.

thank god.

i still grab a rag and dunk it into the clear water abigail brought to clean him up.

„okay…i think you’re good. somewhat.“

he scoffs laughing and puts his shirts back on.

Abi was still cleaning up Nick’s face. „can we help?“

„no…you could search for food.“ Abi says, concentrating.

„I’m so hungry…“ Nick winches and i give him a concerned look.

he did not look good.

„yeah…we will…do that…“ Jacob grabs my hand and drags me with him outside. „what was that?“

„nothing.“ „do not tell you are still jealous of a dying man?“

„He’s not dying, hunny.“

„hunny? and yes, but still. he’s injured and clearly with Abi, did you see how he watched her?“ „no…i was watching…you…“ he stutters; i roll my eyes and drag him to the kitchen with me.

„don’t go in the freezer, „he suddenly says, „that’s for sure the accidental death spot.“

„alright. alright…i still have to find food…can you help?“

„uh right.“ he opens all the cabinets and reaches the highest ones after i couldn’t get them.

„maybe Nick should have told us how this shit is organised…“

„Did you find something?“ Abi suddenly asks behind us. „damnit, you scared us to death.“

„sorry.“ she smiles timidly and looks through the fridge.

„wait Abi. tell me what happened.“ i say and she sighs.

„it happened so fast. Nick was jumped by something big and lanky. and then…i tried to help but the thing jumped me and i ran away and then i came to Ryan and Kaitlyn and Ryan ran to Nick and yeah…it’s pretty much just a blur.“

„okay…“

not really helpful but at least not the dude from the woods.

„are you okay?“

„it didn’t bite me.“

„good.“

my mind was still hung up on the wound. it looked like a dog bite but so much more powerful…

was it a wolf?

one lone wolf that never howled during the two month we were here?

Abi sighs and takes off her backpack to get into one of the floor cabinets but comes out empty handed.

„i should go back. even without food. i don’t want to leave him alone.“ „sure.“ Jacob says immediately.

„but one question…did i catch you making out yesterday?“

„no. we were…fighting?“ i answer and he gives me a weird look. „we weren’t fighting.“

„you were interrogating me.“

Abi giggles and walks away.

Jacob comes towards me and i jump onto the counter to evade him.

„we still have a conversation to finish.“

at that second the lights went off.

„fuck.“ i grab onto his arms and he looks towards the door.

„maybe…Mr H. has the electricity automated?“ Jacob asks. „yeah. hopefully.“

„anyways,“ he leans into my face, „where were we?“

my heart started racing.

he looked stupidly good up close.

„i dunno.“

„you know.“

„no.“ i shrug and he sighs.

„please.“

„alright alright…ugh.“ i lean my head back and look at the ceiling.

Jacob put his hand on my mouth and i frown. „shh.“ he points to the ceiling.

thumping.

„fuck,“ i mutter under his hand.

„where are the others?“

„in the nurse's’.“

„we should stay here.“

„should we? we need to warn Kaitlyn.“ „she’s smart, she heard it too.“ Jacob says, let's his hand fall and i sigh.

„we three need to stay together. i won’t lose her to some animal or a blood throwing weirdo.“ „yeah….me neither…“

there could be a door opening heard on the other side of the house. „that’s Kaitlyn for sure.“

i push him away and jump off the counter, to the door and peek out.

there she was. with the gun. „okay she has a gun, she’s the safest of us all. she will look…and we can wait here. for her backup. i guess.“

Jacob puts his hand on my back and i watch.

after some commotion Kaitlyn falls down the stairs and the dude walks up to her, but she already has blood on her face just like us.

„okay she’s also bloody…and she ran away. good for her.“

the man listened to his walkie-talkie and then walked away.

„what should we do?“ „nothing. he didn’t hurt her,“ i whisper but the bad feeling in my stomach doesn’t go away, „ugh…i hate this.“ „yeah…that wasn’t the plan…“

„right. your plan…“

Kaitlyn told me…

„fuck the guy’s back…“ and the thought was gone again.

„where is he going?“ „i dunno.“ i whisper.

he walks out the front door, shutting it behind him.

„okay…he’s gone. let’s go back to the others.“

now Jacob walks in front, but stops once we arrive at the office.

„they’re gone.“ „what?“

„dude…they’re just…gone.“

i try to push myself in front of him but he holds me back.

„i go front.“

i swallow but stay behind him while he edges into the room.

they were really gone.

„where could they be gone to?“

„…i dunno…“

„fuck.“ i cry out and fall down on the chair.

they could be everywhere. there’s a feral dog outside biting people and weird men.

„we should just stay here. like…Mr…H. originally told us to.“

„right…“ i sigh. „this is such a shit show. why the fuck did the van…Jacob.“ i remember.

„huh?“ he turns around with a smile but it falls when he sees my expression.

„Kaiti told me what you thought about…right before the van broke down.“

he swallows.

„yeah…“ „did you…sabotage your own van?“

i clench my teeth.

„uh.“ he closes his mouth again and gives me a small smile. with panicked eyes.

„Jacob…“

„i mean what if i did? i- i never thought it would end like this.“ he whisper-yells.

„this isn’t the end dude! Nick is probably going to die. that bite is spreading, the wood creeper is coming back for sure, who knows when the van’s going to work again and when Mr H. coming back. you- ugh!“

i throw my hands up in the air.

„i- i can make it work again, i still have the…“ he digs through his pockets, „i…i think i do anyways...“ „Jacob…“

„wait. wait. i had it.“

„what the fuck did you have?“

„the…thing. the rotor arm.“

„the rotor arm?! so you fucked the van up!“ he exhales and swallows, „i- i guess. but i didn’t mean for all of this to happen!“

i cradle my head in my hands, „Jacob…i- ugh. why?“

„be-because i wanted us to stay a day longer. you were…weird and Kaiti was mean- and- yeah.“ he sighs and tears start to trickle up.

„but i’m always weird and Kaiti is always mad, what the fuck Jake…“

„no- you weren’t. you- weren’t even looking at me…i- i’m sorry…“

„yeah…well…fuck! god damnit Jacob.“

„but- we’re okay, it’s like not that bad.“

„Jacob, the others aren’t, we do not know what’s going on with them. maybe they’re all already strung up like you by the wood guy. Who fucking knows!“

„hey, you said that guy was friendly.“

„yeah. maybe. i don’t know Jacob. i’m not the almighty what so ever. god fuck. we could be home,“ i grab onto his shirt, „we could be fucking home…“

„but…we would have never kissed…“

i sigh and lean my head against his chest.

„is our relationship worth the maybe death of our friends? even if it’s the guy you have a rivalry with?“

„no…fuck i’m sorry. if i could reverse it i would.“ his voice grows panicked.

„yeah. i know.“ i look up at him, „well. we can’t change it anymore. i…we shouldn’t tell anyone you did it, i’m sure they’re aren’t as lenient as i am…apparently.“

„so you’re not…mad?“ „yes i am Jacob! but being mad doesn’t help right now. we need to wait until the morning…“ i hiss.

„should we…get somewhere safer than here?“

„probably.“ i sigh, „close the window.“

„another one in library is also open.“

„okay.“ he takes my hand after he shuts the window, „let’s go.“

22:40

„fucking Ryan took the keys.“

„no i think Kaitlyn took them, i saw them throwing them around.“

„still. fucking Ryan.“

„jacob…“

„sorry. sorry.“

„where is the safest place in this stupid house?“ i ask myself.

in the dark it gave me the creeps.

behind every corner could be a monster…

„maybe…the kitchen…we could…lock them inside the freezer.“

i sigh once again.

„yeah, better than nothing i guess.“

i closed the blinds once we were inside and Jacob locked the door with the bolts.

„Okay…and now we wait.“ i lean against the wall.

„we could…talk…“

my bones were tingling with rage but then i see how sorry Jacob looks.

„I’m sorry to say it, but that decision was the stupidest thing you ever did. i know you won’t agree, but we would have been fine just driving home. i would have talked to you after some time and Kaitlyn would have tried her hardest to make us kiss even at home or in college. she said she knew it since we were in kindergarten. so yeah. we would have been fine. now i don’t know if we will be fine. i don’t know. what if the police comes and you get shit for…i don’t know.“

„busting my own car? come on.“

„jacob.“

„yeah…i know. you’re worried…about me…“ he smiles to himself and i hit my head against the wall.

this stupid mother-

„Jacob really? are you- of course i worry. about all of us. i don’t know what’s going on, our friends are gone. some rabid animal is running around and biting people. we’re locked in a fucking kitchen…what time is it?“

Jacob took out his phone.

„fuck…it’s broken.“

„from your fall huh?“

„yeah…“

i whine in exhaustion.

„i…really shouldn’t have run off. i regret that probably the most. because then you wouldn’t have…got a fucked back.“

he laughs quietly, „yeah. i think i regret more. i’m really sorry.“

„it’s…not okay…but hey. it will pass. i hope.“

he hangs his head and starts sniffing again.

just like me.

i slide down the wall and close my eyes.

listening to him cry.

„Jakey.“

„yes?“

„come here.“ i open my arms and sit completely down on the floor.

„i’m tired…just tired.“

„yeah…me- me too.“ he crouches down in front of me and crawls into my arms.

„i’m so stupid. stupid. stupid. stupid.“

„no you’re not Jacob…nobody could have predicted we would end up like this.“ „yeah but we could have drank inside the lodge. maybe nothing would have happened then…animals can’t get inside here right?“

„i…don’t know…i just don’t know…“

Jacob sighs and grips my waist tighter.

„let’s just wait. we can’t do anything else i guess…but you’re not stupid. i don’t think you’re stupid…to be honest someone stupid most likely would have forced me to confess by locking me in the van or something.“ i start stroking his hair instinctively, „and dude. you have a scholarship. smart people don’t have that.“

„Kaitlyn’s smart.“ i laugh. „Kaitlyn’s Kaitlyn. you’re you. Smartness isn’t universal…ugh.“

i stop moving my hand, „your parents really fucked you up huh?“

he scoffs into my chest, „yeah dude…“

„hey…i love your parents, i really do…but some stuff. no. it’s good that we’re going to college..“ „we are?“

„of course, we’re going to college. who cares what happens here. you, me and Kaiti are going to get out of it…and college students are really fucking smart. like the academically smart. there are more versions…you know.“

he hums, and i continue rambling, „Dylan and Emma are socially smart…Kaitlyn is situationally smart, like a leader…Ryan is morally smart. Abi is creatively smart. Nick’s factually smart.“

„and i am?“

„situationally smart. i watched you play. i’ve watched you play for years. you’re a genius on the field…and you’re a genius when it comes to jokes.“

he laughs, „you too.“

„i try…“

„you’re compassionate smart. you know who’s nice and who’s not. here and back home…i mean you never really told me…but uh…that’s why you dropped out of cheering right?“

i swallow; he was a little right.

„They were not nice…but i dropped out because of one girl specifically…because…ugh.“

„feelings?“ „yeah.“ i laugh and shake my head. „i’m sometimes stupid. but no right, i’ll tell you the story.“

„you’re not stupid.“

„thank you.“ i start stroking his hair again.

„so, the story. uh…did you ever talk to a Mia in high school?“

„no, i don’t think so…uh- should i?“

„NO. uh no.“

„jealous huh?“

„Okay Jakey-poo you’re jealous of a rabies-man.“

he scoffs, „tell the story.“

i laugh and continue, „Mia was a cheerleader as well and…she had her eyes on you. which i…did not like.“

„you still don’t like.“ he corrected me.

„Alright i still don’t like, don’t interrupt the story teller that’s Hackerteers rule number…seven.“

„Okay hun.“ he mocks me and i pulls his hair for a second to shut him up.

„kinky.“

„you…we are not that far yet.“

„alright, alright…“ he laughs to himself.

„but yeah, she basically harassed me so i give you her number and spill any secret you have. and i didn’t want to…i thought i was just loyal back then but i think…it was because i’ve been liking you for a very long time…“ „You do?“ he peaked up. „yes, i do Jacob.“ he suddenly hugs me and kisses me again.

i don’t know if i’ll ever get over how good it feels to kiss him. „God damnit why are you so...?“ i ask when he leans back again.

„I could ask you the same thing…“

„smooth.“ „hey…“ he pouts and i smile again.

„so you were jealous of Mia…who i didn’t even know existed.“

„shut up…“, i sigh, how embarrassing…wait…says the right one…

„you fucking pretended like you hooked up with that army girl because you thought i would go to ‚bone town‘ with some racist piece of shit.“

he groans, „uh- yeah. i…was maybe jealous.“

„Just maybe?“ i look down at him and he scrunches his face.

„maybe a lot…“

„that’s why you wanted to kill him huh?“

„no. well…also because of that. but more because of his shit mouth.“

i hum.

„that seems like forever away.“

„i mean…it kinda is.“

i laugh, „true…fuck i hope Kaiti is okay.“

he hums and tugs me closed.

A/N: Summer's over and everyone swears like a sailor now, didn't realise it was that bad before i proofread it whoops. Also a lot noncanon stuff, but hey we need to pass time while the others pass all their quicktime events. or will they...?

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

Chapter 6:

19:44

„Jacob said something weird before the van broke down. like directly asked how you could break a van down.“

„suspicious.“ „yeah. i told him one day wouldn’t make a difference between you two but he didn’t really believe me.“ „well my strategy is to stick to as much people as possible, so we can’t talk about feelings.“ i get a shiver when i say that word and she laughs at my expression.

„you’re helpless aren’t you?“ „shut up.“

„Mh…“ she thought about it, „no. miss feelings and mister himbo are best entertainment i have at the moment.“ „not mister broody?“ „broody is going after the dj man. i’m content as a lonely warrior.“ „sure.“ „excuse you? i am.“ „mhm.“

she shoves me off the bench and stands up herself to watch the view.

i sit back down and make my game plan.

well. i had no idea.

Jacob obviously wanted to talk to me before we went home.

i obviously never wanted to talk to him ever again.

well.

exaggeration.

not until we were home.

but i also did not want to be alone at night in these woods without a real adult.

because we all most definitely were not real adults.

„ugh.“

staying with them it was.

let’s see what the evening brings.

„Guess what?“ Dylan emerges from the bushes with Ryan in tow.

my mind gets thankfully distracted by sex dungeons and tree houses.

20:15

the sun had set, Jacob had lost the privileges for his favourite snack and now, we were all gathered around the fire.

i was sitting next to Kaitlyn, so Jacob was out of my sight.

maybe mean but no feelings. thanks.

„Hey Dylan can you play one direction?“ Emma suddenly asks and all eyes fall to her, „What? i was 13 once too?“ „you were a directioner?“ Abi asks and Emma sighs, „Dylan can you, or not?“

Dylan fumbles his phone, „yeah, i guess, why?“ „because i always sang one song with all the girls in theatre and yeah…nostalgic you know.“ „you nostalgic?“ Abi asks again and Emma rolls her eyes with a smile.

„what song?“ Jacob asks suddenly.

„18.“

oh.

Emma smiles and Dylan shrugs before playing it.

„louder. and don’t you dare talk during it.“ she orders us and we all listen to the song, some more hesitant than others.

Kaitlyn was shoving me the second the song came on.

the implications were so obvious even i got them.

„yes i know Kaiti, can you stop?“ „shhh.“

„sorry.“ Kaitlyn and i say at the same time.

the silence is deadly, this song is too ugh.

thank god i have my saviour from weird social interactions: nipping at a bottle.

the beer tastes like ass but what to expect in this…yeehaw county.

Emma surely wanted to start something again.

i try to block out the song and look at my…friends.

Ryan was looking into the fire, or Dylan’s hand i couldn’t tell.

Abigail and Nick were sneaking glances at each other and Emma’s eyes were darting all over the place.

but she gives me another smile when she catches me looking at her.

the song ends and Dylan clears his throat. „permission to speak?“ he asks and Emma nods with a wide grin.

„let’s…play a game.“

Dylan brought up the idea to play truth or dare and i already knew what shit Kaitlyn was going to get up to.

especially when she asks if she can make people kiss.

i give her a shove when she said that but she only grins her cheshire grin.

he starts with Abigail who gets the first awkward question but he saves her from the possible embarrassment.

because she couldn’t decide, Emma takes her turn and makes Ryan kiss Dylan, i couldn’t keep my smile contained. at least one of our gang got some love tonight.

Ryan asks Kaitlyn and she chooses Truth. „like a pussy.“ i mutter and she shoves me this time but i dodge and take a drink from my beer with a smirk.

„So you, (Y/N) and Jacob go way back, right? like, since you were kids?“

„Sadly, yes.“ Kaitlyn says and i laugh because i know she didn’t mean that. maybe if she drank enough tonight the others would meet the real Kaiti as well.

Jacob sighs while looking down.

„Lame question, bro. waste of a turn,“ i hear him, but Ryan just talks over him. Dylan leans forward and i caught a short look at him. did he have tears in his eyes?

oh shit-

i jump forward before he raises his head completely and catches me looking. that would not help the feelings conversation.

„you guys ever, ah, get down to business together?“ i smile at the memory and forget my fear of today again.

„nothing between (Y/N) and i, but when we were in middle school i made Jacob let me practice french kissing on him…but…it never went any further, cause he’s a terrible kisser…! and i was like kissing my brother. ew.“

i bust out laughing at memory of the shriek she let out after they tried that.

„still love ya, bud!“

Jacob frowns and leans back.

something was wrong.

he was so happy like 2 hours before.

„what’s wrong with Jacob?“ i whisper to Kaitlyn and she looks over for a second.

„mad cause he wasn’t picked. i’ll change that don’t you worry hunbun.“

there was her scary grin again…shivers crawl up my back and i take another confidence swing of beer, the nickname hunbun was the worst sign there was.

„Kaitlyn who do you choose?“ „Jacob.“ he lightens up and sits up straight.

„Tru-.“ „Dude, dare. dare. dare.“

i couldn’t help but smile at his hyper demeanour.

fuck. focus.

Emma giggles and my eyes wander to her, she gave me an air kiss and i catch it which makes her grin even more.

„Jacob, so you have to kiss Emma…or…“ Emma’s eyes widen and she looks away, i take another sip since apparently i would actually see them kiss now.

great.

„(Y/N).“ my eyes widen and i set off the bottle as Kaitlyn leans back to make me visible to everyone.

i swallow slowly and look in Jacob’s eyes for the first time this night.

He’s drunk.

on beer and testosterone.

my head is spinning. did i even eat anything today?

everything to distract me from this.

he grins and Kaitlyn leans back even further, visibly content with herself, giving me a last look before turning to Emma.

Jacob and i actually never kissed before. not even as practice, i heavily denied that offer back when Kaitlyn made him do it and even in truth or dare one of us always veto’d.

Jacob stands up and i’m back in reality.

„did he already decide?“

„no. i. haven’t. my dear (Y/N).“ Jacob says as he swings back and forth with every word.

„huh?“

our friends giggle and Emma leans back as well.

well she knows what’s happening again huh?

Jacob climbs over Dylan’s long legs and gives Kaitlyn a fist bump which i greatly disapprove.

„Kaiti?“ „sorry Hunbun.“ „HUNBUN!“ Emma giggles again, now her phone ready.

„Yeah Hunbun.“ Jacob mutters and i stand up, shoving my beer into Kaiti’s chest.

the minimum for what she just did.

the hunbun-nickname-feeling is spreading in my stomach like the disease it is.

i look up at Jacob only now noticing the height difference between us. „Jake…“ „shhh we have an audience.“ he teases and i close my mouth again.

my mind completely blank.

his right hand snakes around my waist and drags me closer to him, i yelp once i’m pressed flush against his body.

those damn pecks.

he laughs.

„did you mean to say that?“

his left hand weaves through my hair and lifts my head.

he looks totally cool from outside but his eyes are twirling with panic.

mine probably too.

„maybe.“ i mutter, it was too late now anyways.

„huh.“ he says and i close my eyes when he lowers his head.

our lips meet and something releases inside of me.

finally.

his fingers grip into my hip and push me even closer, goose bumps explode at the spot where his hand is and i smile into the kiss.

Jacob’s tongue breaks out and i let it in.

in my head fly by all the times where i had butterflies for him. could butterflies be described as a form of disease?

when he teased me about him finally being taller. the first time he had that stupid black baseball cap on. when he threw me over his shoulder for the first time. when he found out how good he looked with longer pushed back hair, when he saw me in my cheer uniform. during his first game. homecoming. the whole first summer after he was team captain. every fucking time he picked me up with his van. at every party. and every damn day in this stupid camp.

„fuck. Kaitlyn you were right.“

i break the kiss but don’t let go.

wait when did my arms snake around his neck?

Kaitlyn looks at me confused.

„With that?“ „him being a bad kisser?“ Emma asks, phone still in hand.

„no. No. not that. what you told me.“ Kaitlyn grins and shrugs.

„Dude?“ Jacob asks and his hands leave my body, just like my arms slide off his chest.

„She just noticed that she likes you, Bud.“

„Kaitlyn, wtf.“

„It’s the truth.“ „how about not in front of god and the world?“ i whisper-yell and Emma hold her camera full onto me.

i stare into the lens and huff.

„Emma can you fucking not?“ „what?“

„ugh.“ i storm off.

Jacob stands still like statue. „why does she always run off?“ „Well go get her, idiot.“ Emma says and finally puts her phone away.

„Kaitlyn you get my turn.“ Jacob points at his wingwoman and runs after me.

Kaitlyn hums and smiles watching him leave.

„So Emma. you to kiss…“

20:42

i come to a stop at the boathouse, but before i can walk to the dock, Jacob yells my name and comes to a halt next to me.

„hey…“

„hi.“ i say and look at his boots.

„hunbun.“

„don’t say that.“ i huff, but the smile still breaks out and he smiles as well.

„it’s a stupid name.“ „no. i like it.“ „great.“ i turn away but he pulls me back.

„we kissed.“

„yep.“

„and Kaitlyn said you like me.“ „…yep. but i…mean…friends kiss each other right?“ this was the part where he would reject me, it would be better if i just acted like…i didn’t care.

somewhat…

he stays silent and i finally get the courage to look up.

„…why are you crying?“

„do you not like me?“

„what? Jakey. i-. fuck.“

i wipe away the tears on his cheeks and sigh when i hear his quiet sniffs.

„i just don’t like to talk about my feelings,“ i mutter embarrassed. „yeah, yeah i know….but…you do. with everyone else. Kaitlyn knows you love her, all our other friends knew you liked them too, but you never…“ he breaks off and looks down at me with wobbly lips.

fuuuck i’m such an idiot…

he had cried often in front of us, just like Kaiti and i did, but this time…it hurt. really fucking hurt. 

„okay. i know…it’s just…my feelings for you are the most important ones. and i guard those…when Kaitlyn rejects my friendship that doesn’t hurt as bad. but with you…“

„huh?“

he doesn’t understand.

„do you like me?“ i ask instead and stare into his eyes.

„yes.“

„Platonically?“ „what?“

„as friends or…more?“

„i asked first…kind of.“ he shrugs and i can’t help but smile.

„i don’t not like you, Jacob.“

he huffs and turns his head away.

„That’s a fucked answer.“

i sigh, „jakey…i-.“

„no, it is. dude, we never talk about this shit-.“

„this shit?“

„us. we. i dunno the pronouns.“

the corners of my mouth jump up and he notices and smiles a little before coming back to reality.

„like, dude. we’re faking it for like 15 years.“ „huh?“

what?

„uh- maybe only i was faking it.“

„Faking what?“ my voice shook with fear.

what did he mean, our friendship? did he secretly hate me all this time?

„like…the plantonic shit you said.“

oh thank god.

„platonic.“ „yeah that.“ he looks at me, waiting for my answer.

wait- so? he? what? i’m confused.

„so?“ he ask again, getting kinda impatient, something rarely seen.

„i…i’m scared you-.“

a scream was heard in the distance.

„fuck did you hear that? was that Abi?“ i immediately ask and grab his hand.

„that was not a good kind of scream.“

i give him a bitch-what look and he mumbles a sorry.

„we have to check it out.“ i drag him with me.

„uh yeah…okay…“

i run into the woods with his fingers in mine.

A/N: somehow i do love miscommunication tropes when i write them...

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

Chapter 5:

After we sing some midday songs, one half of the counsellors takes the kids to Abi’s work station, the others are instructed to start cleaning up the places that weren’t needed today and tomorrow.

Jacob tries to get in my team but Kaitlyn drags him with her before he can object and i walk down to my hiking station alone, gathering random forgotten bits while trying not to think about what Kait said.

I’m done way too quickly so i lay down in the grass and look at the clouds. thinking about my future.

we three would move in together, the house was already chosen by Jacob’s parents and rented by mine…maybe also an overprotective rich schtick by his.

Kaitlyn’s parents were glad we were all together, taking care of their little ‚kitty‘.

i snort, Kaiti would kill me if she knew i thought about that nickname.

and my parents….didn’t really care. they promised to help with the move but who knows what could come in-between…Jacob was the most reliable person i know.

that realisation made me sit up.

Well. Kaitlyn too. but more in the practical sense. she was more ruthless…

Jake was the one that was always there to consult me…for every heartbreak, for every bad grade, for every cancelled family time…he, his stupid yellow van and infuriating…cute…grin had always been right outside my window.

he would drive us to Kaitlyn’s house and then imagine some scenario that made Kaitlyn come right out the door.

and then we would drive around, sit at the weirdest parking lots or lay on the littlest patch of grass we could find.

i couldn’t risk all of that for a stupid feeling i got once.

well…with one eye closed only once.

„Fuck.“ i whisper and stand up.

„okay. under no circumstances we will talk about that feeling. even if we now know that it’s there.“ i coach myself while slowly walking back to the lodge with everything i found.

at the lodge the others aren’t back yet so i clean up slowly, now truly focused on my game plan.

god me, Kaitlyn and Jacob were such cliché athletes weren’t we?

i giggle quietly about that realisation when the doors slam open and kids flood the room again.

„OH! are you already back?“

the kids swarm me and show me each and every band they made for me or anyone else.

i talk to them attentively and don’t even notice that the other counsellors came with them.

„Hey-.“ Jacob starts but is called back by Mr. H. for the fire pit and he sighs before walking off, i didn’t even meet his eyes.

„Kaitlyn made you something (Y/N)!!!“ one of the kids yell and Kaitlyn scoffs embarrassed.

„oh really? did the mean, mean Kaitlyn make me a friendship bracelet?“ i asked with a teasing tone.

she rolls her eyes and shoves it into my hands.

it was our colours. yellow, black and green. and our initials woven into it.

i actually start tearing up a little when i see and she notices.

„hey, it’s no biggy. Jake made them. he wanted me to give you it tho…“ she gives me a meaningful stare and i sigh.

„okay i need help putting it on, can one of you please help me?“ i ask into the small round of kids gathered around me and the bracelet is promptly secured on my wrist.

Kaitlyn pats my shoulder and we walk towards the fire pit together.

back at the fire pit, the kids thankfully all want to sit around me so i had a natural barrier against Hurricane Jake…god i love that nickname. platonically of course. yeah. yeah. anyways.

Jacob and Nick appear with the fire wood right after all our kids had settled down and i act like i’m busy with the kids.

he sits down right opposite to me and tries multiple times to signal me to leave with him but i stay strong.

after some time, Mr H. notices and gives him more duties to keep him contained.

Jacob walks off sulking and Mr H. gives me a concerned look which i shake my head at.

nothing was wrong. haha. hm.

i sing more songs and dance until Jacob comes back with a big boxes after some time and sits down opposite me again.

Mr H. opens the box and takes out the letters the kids wrote at the start of the camp…and the letters we wrote at the start of our journey to the quarry.

„oh god.“ i mutter and Abigail giggles as she was the only counsellor that heard me.

„Kids. you know what these are right?“

„yesss!“ the kids yell and he smiles.

„those were the letters you wrote to yourself, 2 months ago. i’ll give them back to you now and you can read them and if you want to you can read them out loud of everyone, but we won’t force you. those words are very, very private.“

he picks up the first envelope and shouts out the name.

when he’s done he still has 8 letters in his hand.

„and those are the letters our hardworking counsellors wrote to themselves before they drove here. those are also very private. but you can also read them to us if you want to.“

he gives the letters out alphabetically and i give him a smile when he pushes my letter into my hands.

i read slowly.

i was excited for this camp, the new experiences as a counsellor…excited to spend time with my best friends. find new friends.

once i’m done i look up and watch the others read their letters.

Ryan is deeply in thought, Emma is smiling and Jacob is furrowing his brow before raising his hand. „Mr H.“ „yeah?“ „i would like to read my letter, if it’s okay.“ „sure Jacob.“ Mr H. sits back down and gives him the go to start reading.

„uh okay- it’s going to be a bit weird…but yeah. those are my feelings.“

i gulp at the word feelings.

„hey Jakey, it’s me, from 2 months ago. i’m writing this right before picking up Kaitlyn and then (Y/N) to drive to the train stations to pick up the other guys. Somehow Mr H. got me to be the driver this year, i dunno how he did that. uh yeah. he said we should write about our feelings, and yeah. that’s weird.“

the kids giggle around him as he scoffs smiling at himself.

„i’m really f- flipping excited to get out of our town. i mean it’s ours and i love it but yeah. maybe it will different for us. like without tech and stuff. just sports and nature. i know (Y/N) gonna love hiking around all day. and Kaitlyn’s gonna love it too. in her own way. and i’m gonna love being with them. doing the sh- stuff i love. for 2 flipping months. like dude. that’s like all summer. all by ourselves. out of this town. with new people. like a test thing before we move to college…together.“ he stops for a second and my eyes snap from the fire to him automatically.

he’s looking right at me.

„we three are going to be together forever. whatever happens.“ he says without looking at the paper.

i stare into his eyes.

mind blank.

he swallows and looks back down.

„uh yeah- whatever happens…and dude am i excited for the other dudes.“

the guys start cheering.

„and the kids….f- fling i forgot my baseball bat.“ he stops reading and looks up again, „i packed that before writing on.“

„i’m going to miss my cat tho. i hope mom actually cares for her, but yeah. after this summer she’s going to come with us.“

i smile. i miss his cat as well.

„Mr H. said we should write a goal we have for this summer,“ he explains, „i didn’t really write about it, i just made a check list.“

„typical jock.“ Ryan mutters and Jacob huffs but continues, „first, stay strong. like muscles. because of my scholarship.“

„well you definitely achieved that,“ Nick laughs.

„second, don’t make (Y/N) or Kaitlyn hate you…“ he looks up at the two of us and we both frown.

i from shock, her from unwanted affection. „well yeah, i- don’t think we’re mad at you.“ Kaitlyn says, awkwardly and i nod fast.

„third, make it a good time for everyone.“

Mr H. pats his back, „You did that son.“

he nods and looks back at the paper.

„yeah. that’s it.“

„okay. thank you Jacob for reading. anyone else?“ Mr H. looked around the fire and a few kids raised their hands but no other counsellors.

„well then, Olivia, how about you read next.“

i don’t really listen anymore.

too tired and too…thoughtful.

Kaitlyn drags me up with her when the night finally comes to an end.

i sing the camp song one last time and Mr H. splits the group again, one for cleaning up, one for bringing the kids to the cabins.

I’m team cabin and walk to the front of the group before any wardrobe man could sneak into my point of view.

since Mr H. patrolled the cabins there was no way for us to sneak out for one last party without kids and i fall asleep before Emma could ponder over any other idea.

it's the next morning, some kids ask me for the favour of Jacob but i tell them that they have to ask him themselves.

i throw my bag inside his van first thing in the morning, while he is getting bombarded with questions, so he can't even look at me.

thank god.

I'm too embarrassed for any contact with him.

the drive home would be prison.

at 6 pm all the kids wander inside the big bus, the bags were carried by Jacob, due to the favour and i wave from the banister with Dylan and Nick.

after that i follow them inside like a dog while Kaitlyn watches me leave from downstairs.

our first conversation would be once we three were alone on the highway to home and it would entail nothing about feelings, or love, or Emma, or Nick, or anyone else. only good old friends. platonically friends.

i try to get myself into a good mood inside the toilet by smiling fake but Dylan’s hard knock gets me out of my feelings.

„Come on (Y/N), other people need to shit too.“ „sorry!“ i come out and give him a small smile, „sorry.“

he only hums and locks the door in my face.

i hear Jacob’s boots approach the main hall, so i scramble to the next door and land in a small living room, made writing room. i hear Jacob talking to Nick and Dylan, then a sigh and how two bags are picked up.

„air’s clean.“ Nick yells and laughs at my expression when i come out hesitantly. „you can’t hide forever alright?“ he asks in his Australian accent.

„i- that is a problem for future me.“ i mutter and look at the front door, scared he will come back.

Dylan hums and wants to say something but is interrupted by Mr H. „Kids, come get the phones.“

„ah. finally.“ Dylan sighs and Nick and I snicker.

I intentionally don’t take Jacob’s phone, only the phones of the girls. but Nick is fast than me when it come to Abigail’s.

I give him a knowing look and he smiles.

„well then. bring them the phones, i’ll be right with you…“ Mr H. mutters and we all hum, too busy with the implications.

i give the boys the right of way and lowkey hide behind Dylan as Nick throws Jacob his phone. when they walk down the stairs i act busy with my phone, even though there is no signal and no notifications and stay between Dylan and Nick.

18:21

after Emma and Abigail arrive without their bags, Mr H. and Ryan come back with the van keys and Dylan mopes about his phone battery, Jacob tries to start the van.

„What’s wrong?“ Mr. H. asks, weirdly stressed. „Ugh…Dude. i don’t know. i- i think there’s something wrong with the engine, Mr H.“

i sigh and cross my arms, while the situation gets even more heated.

finally Mr H. tries to start the van himself and Jacob wanders beside me.

i shrink into myself and try to keep calm. his stupid green shirt looks too good.

„I thought i told you kids to check everything!“ Mr H. yells and i jump.

Jacob puts his hands inside his pockets and hums.

Kaitlyn tries to defend herself, but Mr H. doesn’t take it and she and Jacob share a look. He steps out again with a swear.

„well, uh- Look it’s not that big of a deal, we’ll just spend one more night here.“ Jacob says slightly concerned why Mr H. is so aggressive now.

„No- NO. Just stop. let me think.“ i jump again as he now yells exactly at us and Jacob take a step forward to give me protection.

Ryan follows Mr H. with his eyes, now really confused.

He catches the keys Mr H. throws him and follow him while he is muttering around like a mad man.

after a short private conversation where Ryan just frowns in confusion, Mr H. drives backwards, almost hitting me, if Jacob and i didn’t jump out of the way and he is off.

„What’s with our bags?“ Emma yells after him but he is long gone.

„so…what was that about?“ Dylan asks into the round.

„he uh…said to stay inside. that we’re not leaving until the morning.“

„are you kidding me?“ Emma yells and my mouth falls open.

another night. with this shit hanging over my best friend and me. i can’t help but look at him but he is grinning from ear to ear.

„Oh (Y/N)…“ he’s swaying from side to side as i cradle my head in my hands, ignoring the feeling spreading in my stomach because he said my name.

„fuck. my. life…“ i mutter as Jacob dances around.

„what are we supposed to do?!“ Emma yells again.

„we should go inside. like he said…“ Ryan’s deep voice beside me said.

But Dylan had a different idea.

„We could go inside. until morning…or…or we could do something else.“

i raise my head. Dylan always had genius ideas. maybe he knew a way home.

Ryan asked what he was talking about and Dylan explained, „P. A. R. T…why the fuck not!?“

i groan, but Dylan talked on, „It seems like that stars have aligned for us. no?“

i didn’t really have another choice. either staying the night alone, with the possible threat of talking about FEELINGS when Jacob corners me with no distractions. or with others and no possible way to talk about feelings.

i sigh quietly while Jacob jumps around.

„oh, dude. fuck yes! I’m in. Nick, you’re in.“ Jacob said excitedly besides me, while pointing at Nick who nods relaxed.

„Dylan’s in. Obviously. my man.“

interesting he knew his name now huh.

„i’m with Dylan.“ i say before Jacob can address me, staring on the floor. „yeah dude!“ Dylan high-fives me with more enthusiasm than i could ever have.

Kaitlyn agreed, Emma as well.

Abigail didn’t really want to, but also not really had another choice and finally Ryan reluctantly agreed, but said it was a bad idea, which made me snicker. 

Jacob takes the planning lead, obviously.

Abigail and Nick for firewood, obviously.

„(Y/N) and i will go to the stores for some supplies…“ he teases and i gulp but Emma comes to my rescue.

„I’ll go. (Y/N)’s probably still exhausted from the hike right?“ „Right.“ i say quickly and don’t meet Jacob’s eyes. he would catch me lying. he always did.

„(Y/N) comes with me to the fire pit. we need to talk anyways.“ Kaitlyn's bee earrings are the last thing i see before i get dragged off into the sunset.

A/N: following the canon for now :)

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

Chapter 4:

we ended up against the lodge wall next to the storm shelter. Jacob right in front of me, staring into my eyes and me staring right back with an angry frown.

„Jacob…“ i threaten but he hushes me.

„you know what the kid told me right?“

„no.“ factually i didn’t….the other thing doesn’t matter that much...

„why are you, the queen of ‚facts before feelings‘ blushing at me behind my back?“

„it’s hot.“

„me?“ he asks surprised and a smile threatens to escape me but i manage to contain myself. focus damnit.

„no, the weather, i was just hot…maybe a mosquito bite i dunno…“

he hums and looks out the opening, hearing for someone to catch us two.

„and why would i? you’re with Emma.“

„i’m not-," his head snaps back to me and he sighs, „i am not with Emma, that was a fling,“ he takes his hands off the wall to gesture around, „like you with Mike or Aaron or Ben or Kyle or-.“

„why do you know all their names?“ i ask and his face and hands freeze.

„be-because they were all in my team?“

now i hum with a weirded out look and he frowns. „don’t turn this on me, you’re the one blushing around,“ he points his finger at my chest, but stops right before it would touch it. „you’re stalking my dates.“ i say matter of factly with a small smirk. „excuse you?“ he asks and moves away a bit, but comes right back when he sees how i’m eying the exit.

i could not wait for this to be over.

„hey, we’re not done. i want to know why you were blushing.“

„no reason.“

„really?“

„yes. dips-.“ his hand plants itself on my mouth and i gasp.

„shhh, someone’s coming.“

the stairs creak and Abigail appears with a small smile on her face. she’s getting ready for the friendship bracelet workshop.

she turns towards the street but then notices eyes on her and turns back.

when she sees the scene in front of her she topples over laughing.

„wow.“ she whispers and walks away while still giggling.

„you stupid-.“ he shushes me again and i start to hit his chest instead until he finally steps away.

„now she thinks we were hooking up or something.“

„and?“ he asks, genuinely confused, „maybe Nick won’t have you on his mind then.“

„HUH?! Nick’s with Abigail you-.“

Jacob’s face scrunches in confusion.

„But you said-„

„hypothetically! i’ll never see him again after tomorrow. unlike you i don’t just jump on the next person i see.“ now my finger is hovering over his chest. „what?!“ he asks loudly, stepping even further away from me.

„the first time you’re out of your parents reach, you get on with a girl, which is okay, but don’t assume that i do the same.“ i hiss quietly, lowkey scared one of the kids is listening in on us.

„is it really okay?“ he asks instead and now my face scrunches in confusion.

„yes? didn’t i tell you to go for it?“ „no that was Kaiti.“

„who cares?“ i vividly remember how much i did not…care if he got with Emma or not, but in short i told him to go for it. somewhat. UGH. „i do. because that proves something,“ now he’s leaning his body from side to side again, as he always does when he’s confident.

„and what does that prove Mister Custos.“ i scoff and look towards the exit again. „that you like me.“ he states and my vision grows wide.

i swallow and look back at him, smiling like the fucker he is, ignoring how my heart is booming right now.

he actually said it.

„no.“ i squint at him and give a half-smile to really safe the deal.

„no?“

„no.“ i push past him and up the stairs.

he was an athlete but i’m a runner.

i lose him in the mass of kids at the entrance and jog further on until i’m somehow by the fire pit.

i sit on the floor leaning against one of the big logs as a stick breaks under someone’s foot and i sit up again, ready to run again if Jacob is looking for me.

but it was Ryan. with a paper plate of food in his hand.

„hey…i saw you run off, so i thought…yeah. if you want it. i can go if you want-.“

„thanks.“ i say, grab the plate out of his hands and drag him with me to the floor.

he stutters around while i eat and i laugh.

„i don’t know why Dylan likes you so much.“

„hey.“ he scoffs, „i brought you food.“

„sorry, and thanks. I’m sure you don’t stutter around with him.“

he huffs and looks into the woods.

„what’s going on between Nick, Jacob and you?“

„i don’t know. Jacob’s clearly jealous of Nick in every form. i’m just existing.“ „are you?“ „Ryan. i just came out of an interrogation from Jacob, can we not do another one right away?“ „right sorry.“ „it’s alright, you didn’t know.“

i waft down the food in silence and then sigh.

„thank you. really. you’re a great counsellor.“

he laughs.

„if you say so.“

„what do you want to know?“ i turn to him with an encouraging smile. i was angry at Jacob (and myself) not him.

„eh…what going on maybe. i thought Jacob and Emma had…something.“

„yeah, i thought so too. but Jacob and her deny that they had any type of feeling towards each other. so i guess not…what you need to know about Jake is that his parents aren’t…the most lenient when it comes to girlfriends. his only female friends are Kaitlyn and i because we’ve always been there. so i guess he just ran wild once he was away from them for the first time. which is logical. i don’t have a problem with that. if i…“

„if you?“

„if i didn’t not really know about my feelings. like with him. something changed…for the first time. like. i don’t know.“

he laughs at my defeated face.

„like you just notice the weird feeling in your stomach?“

„yes.“

he hums and looks up at the blue sky.

„i know that feeling.“

„with Dylan?“

„no when i noticed that i wasn’t straight.“

„oh right. sorry.“

he laughs.

„you guys are weird.“ „wow.“ i giggle and smile at him.

„you come to conclusions so fast. ‚Jacob had a summer thing with Emma so that means he never ever looked at me like i was…the sun.‘“

„the sun?“

„stupid analogy you know what i mean.“ „that Jacob gives me weird looks behind me back? that doesn’t really make me more confident in our strange relationship.“

he groans, „i mean loving look you idiot.“

„oh.“

OH.

„so i was right!“

he jumps at my shout and a few birds fly up around us.

„i- well i don’t know. maybe. was that why you were fighting?“

„no. i still don’t know why we were fighting. were we even fighting?“ „your face said fight.“

„hm. maybe.“ i groan and hit my head against the log behind me multiple times.

„this is horrible.“

he laughs quietly at my despair.

„where did Jacob go?“

„dunno. maybe the docks. i see him there most of the time when he’s not working.“

„because him and Emma always met there.“ „so you mean?“ „they fucked on ya docks Ryan.“ „fuck?“ „well i dunno. isn’t that what you do with summer flings.“

„i think that is a spectrum.“

„huh. well my spectrum is limited, i mostly had dates that went shitty and some short relationships that were also shitty.“ „because they weren’t Jakey-poo.“ someone yells behind me and we both jump.

Kaitlyn jumps over the log and falls down next to me with a grin. „hey there, sulkerbun, why so pissed? finally realised something?“ „fuck oooooooff.“ that nickname was what Jacob and Kaiti always call me when i’m confused with my feelings and hide away. which i do…quite often.

Kaitlyn laughs.

„maybe you should have realised sooner, since you can’t live out your romance at home.“

„ugh. it’s not a romance.“

„Ryan? it’s totally a romance right?“

Ryan nods slowly but hesitantly.

„fuck you both.“

„hey just because it’s the last day doesn’t mean that you can swear like a sailor. also Ryan is the sailor so he should swear.“

„i don’t…swear…“

„guyyyys.“ i whine and Kaitlyn and Ryan come back to me.

„let’s just ignore that issue until we go home, alright?“

„like you did for the last 16 years?“ „Kaitlyn i will strangle you in your sleep.“

„it’s the truth Hunbun. i should know, i’ve been watching you two dance around since kindergarten.“

„no. i’m confused since yesterday. nothing before that.“

„really?“ Ryan and her ask at the same time, „Yes? i should know? i know my feelings. you don’t.“ i cross my arms defensively.

„how come you go into hyper focus every time Jacob walked off with Emma?“ „because i was working?“

Ryan squints at me and twists his mouth like he wants to say something but doesn’t.

„you guys are not helpful!“ „we’re not trying to be. well i’m not. Ryan?“ „no…not…really,“ he smirks.

„ugh“. i try to stand up but Kaitlyn holds me back by my arm.

„i’m joking. just a little teasing. i earned that since you two have been idiots since at least high school.“

„no?“

„yes. because,“ she stands up and prepares for her monologue, while i give Ryan a helpless look which he doesn’t return.

„freshman year. first party. Jacob is a hawk, every boy that come into your perimeter is dead.“

„not really.“

„i’m speaking, (Y/N).“

i close my mouth again and cross my arms again.

„then, sophomore. you’re an established cheerleader. he gives everyone, that looks at you with a bit of lust a piece of his mind; everyone from his team that you date is on the bench until coach moans about it. he never dated anyone. how come?“

„because of his parents.“

„yes and. because his one and only is too stupid to notice him.“

„I’m not stupid.“

„yes. just blind.“

„Kait.“

„shush.“

i throw up my arms and point towards the herd of children on their way.

„we have to interrupt your monologue.“

Kaitlyn sighs and gives me one last, universally understood look before straightening up and welcoming the kids.

Ryan and I stand up before the kids fall all over us and Dylan with his guitar takes Ryan from me.

A/N: deny deny deny, what works with the cops surely works here too :)

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

A/N: i'm just not gonna say anything lol ._.

Chapter 3:

Something shakes my shoulder.

i open my eyes and look right into Dylan’s.

„wha-?“ „the announcement.“ „Oh.“ i jump up and down my bed, still in my pyjamas, an old football shirt and shorts, and walk after him into the radio station. he’s already dressed completely and freshly showered, i can smell his body wash.

„damn. technical.“ is the first thing that falls out of my mouth when we walk inside the radio hut. „yeah. kinda my…hobby.“ „cool. suits you.“

he laughs while sitting down and setting everything up.

„i guess.“

„more confidence man.“

he shakes his head smiling and gives me the microphone.

„your turn.“

i sigh and think for a second before pushing down on the activation button.

„Good morning campers and counsellors, especially Kaitlyn, who does not need her beauty sleep since she is already beautiful inside and out! today is going to be our last night together and that means…“

i give the mic to Dylan and he rattles down the program with his usual wit.

„now we will all get dressed and ready to eat the wonderful breakfast made by non other than Nicolas the frivolous.“

my laugh could be heard through the speakers and Dylan finishes his announcement with his typical greeting.

when we walk out the door, we were swarmed with children immediately.

„alright guys, who makes it to Nick first, gets the best cooked egg!“ Dylan yells and runs away, kids in tow.

i walk back to my cabin but Jacob already sits at our steps. „hey.“

„hi.“ he jumps up, „do you- do you want to help me today? since you have no activities?“

i hum while walking up the stairs and jump out of Emma’s and Abigail’s way, who scatter to the showers.

„…sure. if i don’t land on your shoulder again. i think i’ll actually puke.“

„oh- i’m sorry. i-.“

„it’s okay Jake,“ i laugh and get on my bra away from him and then take off my sleeping shirt and put on a new one.

„yeah Jake.“ Kait mocks and he groans, she emerges from behind our bunkbed with crazy hair, but surprisingly refreshed.

„Don’t you have to search for a brooding, sexy Ryan?“ Jacob retorts and i giggle at Kait’s expression.

„you can be glad i won’t expose you,“ she points at Jacob who suddenly frowns, „yet.“ she looks at us one last time before walking out. searching for Ryan i assume.

„what was that?“ i ask while putting on my normal boots, my hiking boots could thankfully be abandoned until further notice.

„her usual threats.“ Jacob mutters and resorts his hair under his cap.

„no…those sound different…and you usually not scared of them.“

he laughs awkwardly and shrugs, „well, maybe she’s getting to me for once.“

„hmmm.“ he doesn’t meet my eyes, „isn’t Sunday usually Emma-Day?“ i ask innocently, trying to pry if he got to a conclusion yet.

„well she’s not interested anymore. and me neither. i’m…“ he looks at me with his mouth open, either he doesn’t know what to say, or he encountered a math problem, but right now most likely he doesn’t know what to say.

i laugh and push up his chin.

„don’t want you catching flies.“

he smiles down at me and doesn’t make a move to let me pass him as he stands between the two bunkbeds effectively blocking my way.

„jakey…poo…“ his eyes darken, „we need to get going if i’m going to help you. and your wardrobe body is blocking my way.“

„wardrobe body?“ he asks, smirking.

„yeah, cause you’re fucking thick.“ i say in a deeper tone, imitating the catch phrase of our friend Mark from home, and squeeze past him, getting my water bottle before walking out of the cabin. he stumbles after me.

„if i remember correctly-.“

„Jacob, i’m really hungry, can we go? my description of your body isn’t more important than basic human rights is it?“

„well…“

i groan and grab his wrist, dragging him to the lodge.

we pass the tree and i spot something that makes me double over with laughter.

„what the-.“ Jacob says and walks closer.

„Emma + Jacob for summer… well. those kids are ruthless aren’t they?“

„yeah….we didn’t do that by the way. like the first thing.“

„sure Jakey…“ i walk on, breakfast on my mind.

„it’s the truth!“ „what? that your first romance died tragically?!“ „you’re horrible when you’re hungry!“

i hum and he catches up to me, his hand sneaking into mine again. „do i still have to drag you?“

„yes.“

„jacob…“

„no, i’ll drag you.“ his mind visibly got a light bulb over his head and he ran with me in tow.

„alright, kids, since it’s our last day,“ Jacob makes himself tall and gathers the kids around him on the sport field, „and since i promised you,“ the kids cheer because they know what was coming, „we’re going to play one game of football. only one. for all the marbles. win or lose.“

he points at me sitting at the sideline, also surrounded by kids who were too scared to play, „we have our referee.“ i blow the whistle he had hung around my neck after breakfast, „and the cheerleaders.“ the other kids started clapping.

„did you know our referee used to be a cheerleader too?“ the kids shake their head and look at me.

„only for 2 years, senior year i needed to focus on school,“ i yell from the side line.

„she cheered me on every game.“ he makes his little swinging dance again and the kids giggle.

pure exaggeration from his side.

„alright kids, but i have another surprise for you…because it would be just a little unfair for you to play against me, i’m going to be your coach, but.“ he raises his finger, „you will play against the most inexperienced and clumsiest people in this camp. the other counsellors.“

i laugh out loudly when my coworkers and my boss come on the field. the kids get overly excited and start jumping around.

Jacob explained some different rules, since there were less players on the counsellor team but i was too busy with laughing at Kaitlyn who was most definitely not willingly here. Mr. H. probably forced them all and Jacob got me as a referee because i was a fair judge. 

Jacob put his players on the field and it started, Mr. H. was the leader of the counsellor team but the kids had the upper hand for most of the game.

some time before the last break, Jacob wanders over to me with his hands behind his back, totally relaxed and totally up to something.

„miss Referee.“ he starts and the kids around me started giggling.

„yes, Mister Custos?“ i give him a side eye and saw how wide his grin was.

„what do you need?“

„if i wanted you to…look away for some…accidents, how much would that cost me?“

the kids gasp and i raise my eyebrows at him.

„mister Custos, you are a renowned Coach, are you trying to bribe me?“

„no, no, i would never.“ he raises his hands in defence and watches the game for a second. „i wouldn’t call it bribery…more a favour.“

„mhm?“

„but (Y/N)!“ a kid starts but i turn to them and whisper with the kids, „if someone tries to bribe you, you have to listen to the conditions first…who knows what he wants to give me.“

„maybe a kiss!“ one of the kids said and i laugh awkwardly.

„Mister Custos, do you want to kiss Miss (L/N)?“

„eh. that is very unprofessional to ask a world famous football coach.“ i state and stake my head smiling, while Jacob is visibly sweating behind me, the kids giggling even more at him.

„but what was your favour, mister Custos?“ i turn back to him and notice how stressed he looks.

„are you okay?“ i ask truthfully and he nods.

„yeah, eh, the favour…well you could choose.“

„hmmm. team what do we say? one foul for a favour from the wardrobe man?“

the kids giggle at the nickname i had given him today, but most of them agree and the referee is a democracy so i accept.

„One foul play, for one favour.“

„and what would the favour be?“

„we will let you know.“

the kids giggle and Jacob walks away with a thoughtful expression.

it was cute to see him do or watch sports; he was totally in his element.

most assume he was just a stupid jock but he hadn’t been the football captain for nothing. he was smart, he knew how to strategize and was able to make quick decisions, everything needed for a player.

no wonder he’s the one that got the sports scholarship.

i watch him for a while, how he analysed the game he had won the second he put the counsellors on the field.

then he looks over to me and gives me a smile.

and i feel something i had never felt before.

butterflies.

my cheeks start to burn and of course one of my employees immediately notices.

„Did you just get red from Jacob’s smile?!“ „it's mister Custos, and no. i would never. i’m a professional referee, i don’t have the time for crushes during work.“ i state and shake my head, almost offended but the kids laugh and one of them runs to Jacob.

fuck.

now i actually regret agreeing to be referee.

it was better to get killed by kids than get my childhood friend to notice that i, might, a little, well, fuck, that i like him…well…i don’t even know since when. i never saw him as family or anything, there was always the possibility for love…but something’s different right now. maybe because i saw him with someone else?

my eyes switch to Emma who tragically dying to two kids at the moment but jumps up at the last second to evade them and runs off with the ball.

maybe.

maybe i’m just sick.

yeah.

maybe a mosquito bit me and i got some weird illness from it.

yes….yes.

i look at Jacob again and he’s talking to the traitorous kid, the second my eyes are on him, he looks at me and smiles again, a tiny smile. maybe that kid got distracted and is telling him something completely different.

let’s hope for that.

but then his eyes grew bigger and his smile as well.

oh no.

i turn away quickly, right on time for the last break.

the kids run to the water stations and i run with them.

i could hear Jacob jog behind me, but i’m so not ready for that conversation with him, so i get to the first person i thought could hold him off.

Nick. „hey there.“ he said out of breath and i smile at him.

„how many bruises are there?“

he dries his face with his shirt and exposes his abs in the process, „i don’t know. too many. packing will hurt.“

i laugh and hear someone huff behind me.

when we both turn to the water station Jacob has his shirt off and holding it under the cold stream, his eyes are painfully focused on the shirt.

„is he…“

„okay? i don’t know.“ Kaitlyn finishes Nick’s question and takes my still almost full water bottle from my hand and drinks it empty.

„hey-.“

„you cheated and got referee. somehow.“ she huffs and crouches down, completely out of breath.

fair point. but that means i need to fill it up…right where a Testosterone pumped Jakey is waiting.

he was wringing his shirt out when i finally found my confidence again.

i fill up my water bottle silently while he splashes his own body with water.

he’s angry, silent Jacob is angry Jacob.

„Jacob-.“

„i have to coach.“ he says and walks off.

i sigh and Emma appears next to me. „trouble?“ „some kid told him i was blushing because of him, i got embarrassed, hid by Nick and now he’s mad.“

Emma hums and purses her lips. „He’ll get over it.“

„sure.“

but not without a fight.

i sit back down on my spot and watch the game, not really needing to interfere, the kids are obviously in the lead so the counsellors take it easy.

until Jacob switches himself in…

„huh?“ said the kids around me and i shrugs, not really stressed. if he’s on the field he can’t confront me.

„maybe to show them how it’s really done.“

he was playing fair…until he meets Nick on the field.

Jacob doesn’t even have the ball, but he runs towards Nick anyways.

he rams him through the air and i blow my whistle, standing up from shock that he would be this brutal.

„one foul you said.“ he yells from the end of the field and i huff, stemming my hands in my hips.

my feet move before my mind catches up and i storm towards them.

Nick is already standing again and walks in my way to make me stop. „it’s alright, nothing happened,“ he smiles and rolls his shoulders, „i egged him on earlier.“ „still. it’s childish.“ Kaitlyn mutters, already on a fresh trail towards understanding what was going on between me, Nick and Jacob.

i open my mouth and close it again when Jacob passes Nick again and pushes him again. „Dude!“ i shout and grab his wrist, he looks down at me with a hurt expression, not an angry one. 

„what’s wrong?“

„nothing.“

„jake…“

Mr. H. clears the situation before i could talk on and he looks at his watch before ordering the kids around.

„alright kids, the game is over, you clearly won, the prize is another hour of playtime at the cabins. come on, let’s go.“ he ushers the kids and other counsellors out but points at me, Nick and Jacob to stay with angry eyes.

i gulp and give Jacob an annoyed look which just made him shrug while Nick massages his shoulder.

„what was that Jacob?“

„nothing. Nick was as rough with me as i was.“

Nick nods along and i frown.

did i misinterpret this whole situation?

Mr. H. sighs and crosses his arms.

„you’re big examples for those kids. so no more…rough fighting, or weird special rules for…whatever you two are. couple or friends i don’t know anymore.“ he points at me and Jacob and lets his head fall in disappointment. „this is the last day, you can follow the rules until then alright ya noobs?“, he says, still not looking at us three.

„yes sir.“ we all say. „sorry, Mr. H.“ i mutter.

he hums and motions us to leave the field, which i gladly follow.

Jacob grabs my arm the second the three of us are out of his sight and drags me away while i protest.

A/N: It's getting spicy... (and i'll actually post the next one right now, no cliff hanger lol)

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

A/N: back after some time :) hopefully fast updates once i’m done with exams but i won’t promise anything lol...

Chapter 2:

„and then she jumped off the banister, to defend me. she berated the bully until he ran off and that’s how we because friends.“

suddenly huge arms fall over mine and Kait’s shoulders.

„And after they became friends, they noticed they needed a muscle man for their brain and beauty, so they chose me. of course.“

the kids giggle and we groan at the very embellished story.

in reality he was one day not leaving our side anymore and he was too sweet to be mean to him, well in my opinion, Kaitlyn has always been mean to him. then our parents became close friends since our hometown was small anyways and then we never left each other’s sides again.

it was obvious Jacob had a soft spot for both of us, i was very open with my affection and care for them and Kait…had her own way of showing it.

in the year book we were crowned golden retriever and black cat friendship.

no wonder why.

and even now we were all going to the same college, it was a coincidence for Kait, but Jake and I actively tried to get into the same college. (and Kait secretly too, she just didn’t say that to us two.)

Kait throws Jacob’s arm off her and tells him he smells again, which he retorts but i am too busy with something else to listen.

who was the brain and who was the beauty in his story?

the kids drag me  out of the lodge before i could come to a conclusion and before i know it, i’m singing campfire songs between Abigail and Ryan.

i was the entertainer of the counsellor group, not the cool one like Emma, more the…compassionate one.

i sang and clapped and danced with the kids until the night fell, Mr. H. excused himself and Ryan got out one of his famous ghost stories.

some kids didn’t want to listen, so Kait, Abi and i went on the mission to get them to bed without the nightmares Ryan’s story brought them.

Emma wanders to me while i was again, getting all the kids to brush their teeth in the shower house.

„we always meet here it seems…“ Emma says with a smile. she was up to something again, i could feel it in my bones.

the kids swarm her and she halfheartedly talks to them, before asking me a question.

„what are you up to tonight?“

„what do you mean?“

„i mean, it’s the last…real night. tomorrow is going to be the party and the next day we’ll be packing the whole day.“

i give her a look that means ‚not-in-front-of-the-kids‘ and she laughs but nods.

once the kids were in their lodges, i still couldn’t escape her question.

„because we were thinking…to go swimming.“

„in…the lake with the big red sign of ‚do-not-go-swimming‘?“
Emma scoffs, „when have you ever listened to a red sign?“

„in public traffic, Emma. in public traffic…do you have a license?“

she shrugs with a smile, „maybe yes, maybe no…what does that have to do with swimming?“

i can’t help but laugh.

„okay Ems, you convinced me with your theatrics.“

she laughs, a real laugh for once.

„theatrics?“

„no one can fool me, i am the overseer as the kids call me.“ now i was playing yourself up while we were walking back to the campfire.

„sure.“ she smiles but goes quiet for the rest of the walk, until we were right at the fire.

„except Jakeyboy. he fooled you for a long time.“ she says louder than necessary and laughs when Jacob turns around with a shocked expression. i shrug at him and sit down next to Dylan, since Ryan was now between Kait and Dylan. Jacob tries to catch my gaze but i don’t look at him, too busy listening to another not so scary story, so he stares bewildered at Emma who giggles again with an innocent look on her face.

Nick finally comes back from his kitchen duties and sits down next to mw with a small sigh.

He leans his arms on his thighs and looks at me from below.

„hey. how’s going?“

„good. last normal day huh?“ i whisper, trying not to catch the attention of the kids so we could have a normal conversation.

he hums and looks into the fire.

„it’s going to be weird. not being here.“

i smile.

„i think the same.“

he looks at me surprised, „really? all the others can’t wait for it to be over.“

„yeah…it has its downsides but…i don’t know. the whole thing is pretty…“

„cool.“ he finishes my sentence. „yeah.“

we smile at each other.

„hey Nick, you wanna arm wrestle?“ Jacob yells from across the fire, already pushing up his sleeve.

Nick huffs and stems himself up, two kids were already at his side and drag him by his hands to Jacob.

Abigail comes back at the exact moment from the bathroom and sits down next to me.

„what going on?“ she asks whispering.

„just a testosterone competition.“ i whisper back.

she giggles and watches Nick roll up his sleeve. it’s…decent. Jacob most definitely has more strength but who knows. he’s easily distracted.

i force my eyes away from Jacob’s forearms and look at Abi, who’s still living out her middle school dreams in her head.

„you have something for him huh?“ „what? no-.“

„abi…“

she looks away from me and into the woods.

„its too late anyways. we only have a few days left.“ „and? get his number.“

„i-…i have his e-mail.“

i laugh.

„oh abi…e-mail? maybe a pigeon next?“

she laughs awkwardly and leans away from me.

„if you don’t do it yourself, i’ll get a group chat going with all of us, there you can get his number.“

she looks at me with her wide open eyes again.

„you would do that?“

„duh? i want to see you succeed. even if i think Nick is a bit of a manwhore but yeah…if you like him.“ she smiles and leans against my shoulder.

„thanks.“

„no problem.“ i put my arm around her and two girls across from us mimic it instantly.

Jacob had won 2 to 1 and made a victory lap around the fire while Nick shook his head and tried to scoot next to Abi.

i stand up so they could be together and Jacob grabs my shoulders from behind to get me to celebrate with him.

„Jake!“

„i won, i won!“ I laugh, „okay Jakey-,“ i pause before finishing the nickname, i promised him not to say it in front of the kids since yeah. kids are ruthless.

„Jakey?!“ the kids yell instead. „are you two in love???“ one asks and we halter in our movement.

Emma laughs loudly at us but hold a hand in front of her mouth once the attention shifts to her.

„hey! weren’t you and Jacob together?“ a girl next to her asks and she pauses.

„well uh. you know, sometimes things don’t work out. we have different plans after this camp.“ she explains with a confident smile.

i can feel Jacob’s hands cramp around my shoulders and i put my hand on his right one, signalling him that its alright.

„and sometimes, people misinterpret their feelings.“ she looks at us again and her eyes fall to my hand, which i pull back again instantly.

the kids stay silent, waiting for us to say something.

„yeah. it just wasn’t…the right thing. that happens sometimes. like when Jamie went home early, this camp also wasn’t the right thing for him. it happens. and you learn from it.“, Ryan interjects making a lesson out of this embarrassment.

„i miss Jamie…“

„yeah. we all do.“ Dylan finally saves us, „alright one last song, then we go to bed, it’s already late.“

the kids moan but Dylan starts singing and they get out of their mood again.

Jacob still hasn’t let go of me.

„Jakey…“ i whisper and he finally lets go. „sorry.“ „still thinking?“ „yeah.“

i nod with a smile and sit down on the almost empty log next to Nick and Abigail’s.

Nick smiles at me and i smile back, Jacob pushes me further to the right so he doesn’t sit next to Emma, i guess, and plants himself down right next to me. our thighs touch, but that’s nothing new. we always had a more touchy friendship. especially in contrast to Kaitlyn.

two kids were quietly moaning about how they had to change the marking in a tree but we were too busy with singing to really understand what tree they were talking about.

Emma grabs my hand before i could run off after all kids were inside their cabins. „we are going swimming.“

„well. i don’t have to go into the water right?“

she shakes her head.

„but you have to get naked.“

i frown but comply since everyone else agreed, except Abigail and Ryan, who leave for the cabins.

Emma’s the first one in her underwear and in the water, Nick and Kaitlyn follow shortly behind.

i laugh while watching at the deck, next sitting next to Dylan, who Emma also forced to get undressed.

Jacob was somewhere behind us, gathering towels.

we watch the three in the water playing around.

„Last time huh…“ Dylan mutters and i sigh. „I…really don’t want to go. i really like our group.“ „yeah. it’s fun. Mr. H. is weird but yeah.“

„don’t let Ryan hear that.“

he laughs.

„yeah…i won’t change my opinions because i like someone that has another one.“ i nod, „true. same. you have to be true to yourself…and you most definitely are that.“

he laughs and shrugs.

„well, sometimes…other times…not so much.“

i hum and want to ask what he means but he is gone before i can ask.

i shriek when the water splash hits me and Jacob giggles behind me.

„Jake, don’t you dare.“ i knew he would try to push me in next.

„i know i know…“ he crouches down next to me and pushes my wet hair out of the way.

Dylan emerges from the water.

„dude, a warning.“ „that was for fucking with me in the shower.“

Dylan smiles, „okay that was pretty funny…“

Jacob huffs, gets up and steps away.

„what did you do in the showers?“ i ask while turning to see what he does and he runs by me and lands with a bombshell behind Dylan in the water.

„woooho!“ he yells and we all laugh.

„Come on girl, we need a strong legged woman to save us from the depths of the water,“ Emma yells and teases me, while i roll my eyes and hang my legs down the dock again.

„the lifeguard’s never in the water, Emma. but good try.“

she sighs and goes under water. i tug my legs back up the second she emerges under me.

„you mother…hubbard.“

„god i can’t wait to stop censoring myself again.“ Dylan mutters to himself and i laugh.

Jacob notices and goes under the water as well.

i put my legs down again and sigh, looking at the star. it’s almost full moon.

wasn’t there some myth about sex on the full moon being special?

something was touching my foot.

SOMETHING-

i scream. like never before.

everyone turns around to me and Jacob starts laughing.

Kait starts to berate him but he only grins up at me.

„You- you know what i would say if Mr. H.’s rules didn’t exist.“

he shrugs.

„Dunno.“

i kick at him and he grabs my foot.

„Jake…“

„what? the water is nice. nothing will happen. i promise.“

i sigh and he tugs at my foot, opening his arms for me.

i pull back my foot, take a run-up and plunge into the dark water.

i can’t see anything so i dive up quickly, already getting the jeebies.

the water-shy kids loved that i also wasn’t a fan, but my colleagues…not so much.

well Kait protected me so they never said anything but it was quite clear that they thought it was unnecessary.

Jacob swims to me, once i emerge again and puts his hand on my waist.

„okay?“

i hum.

„hey, how about one of us puts her on our back?“ Nick asks and swims towards me but Jacob turns around before he can and almost drags me to hold onto his back.

„Fear not fragile female, Hurricane Jake is here!“

i roll my eyes and laugh while gripping his shoulders tighter.

Emma swims up as well and grins at us.

„see. nothing bad.“

„sure. until something nibs at your foot.“

Dylan smirks and wanted to dive down but Kaitlyn grabs him before he could.

„don’t.“

„what could be down here? the long lost brother of Mr. H.?“ „it’s a lake in the woods Emma. everything could be in here.“ „sure, girly, sure.“ she swims around and cherishes the waters while Jacob swims closer to shore and therefore to Kaitlyn and Dylan.

Nick swims to Emma instead.

„What’s the plan for tomorrow?“

„no hiking.“ i say exhausted and they laugh.

„yes. no hike,“ Kait agrees, „mostly art i think, drawing and voting for the best counsellors all that schtick…and the football match.“

Dylan gave me a look and i laugh.

„what?“ Jacob asks, out of the loop.

„Dylan said i’ll win the vote. i doubt it but he insists.“ „dude, of course you will.“ He gets excited again and i let go of his back, not wanting to get swept around in the lake too much.

he calms down once he notices i was gone and swims right next to me, our bodies almost touching.

„i don’t know…i think Emma has a bigger chance. they all love her.“

Kaitlyn scoffs, „and what’s with me?“ „you’re too bossy.“ Jacob laughs and she dunks him under water.

„and you’re too dumb.“ she says once he’s up again. „hey.“ i say quietly but they don’t hear me, they were too busy egging each other on.

„Do you wanna do the morning announcement with me tomorrow?“ Dylan asks and leans against the ladder to…look more smooth. „Not with Ryan?“ „he doesn’t like them…“

„oh. then sure. we will make him like them. if he wants to or not," Dylan laughs, „consent?“

i shove him, „hey, i didn’t mean it like that.“  „sure.“

he swims a bit away from me and i splash after him.

Emma was the first one out of the water again.

she was grinning down on all of us and posing for jokes while we cheered her on.

Jacob was weirdly quiet this time, probably since he was a little heartbroken, even if he tried to suppress it.

i climb up the ladder next and immediately start to freeze.

„fuck.“

Emma gasp at me and i laugh.

„if a kid heard me, they have bigger problems than a little swearing.“

„She just said fuck!“ Emma yells across the whole lake and i shush her but it was too late.

everyone still in the water gasps as well and educated me  on the ‚Importance of manners in this camp‘ as Mr. H. said it.

when Jacob climbs up the latter reciting the most important rule i push him back down, but he held onto the ladder and manhandles me once he was up.

he paraded the ‚rulebreaker‘ as i was, once again, on his back defeated.

Emma winks at me when he sets me down on the benches inside the boat house.

„one day i’m going to puke on your back.“

„wouldn’t be the first time.“ Kaitlyn says while walking by and Jacob almost falls on the floor from laughing before giving her a high-five.

i sigh trying to defeat the flashbacks of my first drunk incident.

Dylan was laughing as well, but stops when he sees a light source walking up from the lodge.

„fuck. Mr. H.“

everyone wanted to educate him first, but with the name of our boss, everyone gasped and scrambled.

Jacob grabs my arm and drags me with him.

up the stairs.

and into Ryan’s instructions room.

we close the door quietly and Kaitlyn fumbled with the keys to lock it, quietly swearing as well.

Mr. H.’s footsteps walk up to the boathouse and Kait finally manages to lock the door.

Emma exhales and crouches down, then giggles before holding a hand over her mouth.

Jacob’s grip on my arm tightens again and i take one step away from the door, right into his…really firm chest.

he held my waist so i wouldn’t stumble around when we clash together.

Kait switches looks with all of us and raises her finger to her mouth.

the footsteps grow louder.

he was coming up the stairs.

i hold my breath, Jacob’s also stopped tickling my neck.

Emma looks right up at the door with her eyes wide open and Dylan and Kaitlyn freeze in their movement, Nick’s leaning right by the door against the wall and closes his eyes quietly panting.

Mr H. stops at the door, tucks down the handle and huffs.

„well.“ he says and walks back down the stairs.

Dylan scrambles to the look out and hides behind the wall, to see where he was going.

„our clothes.“ Nick whispers and we gulp.

we could be easily identified by those.

„he’s walking back to the lodge.“ Dylan says louder and we sigh in relief.

„never again.“ i say and point jokingly at Emma who laughed.

„but the adrenaline baby.“ she says and stood up, cleaning off her backside before throwing her arm over her head to let the adrenaline flow through her body.

Jacob rests his head on my shoulder and sighs again. still thinking huh.
„we should go. before he searches the cabins.“

we hum and Kait unlocks the door again.

i gather my stuff and run to the cabins, only stopping once we were right in front of your doors.

there we wave at each other, Emma blows kisses and bows while i and Kait laugh and Dylan yells out a small cheer before the three men disappear in their cabin.

Abigail wakes up when we open the door with a giggle.

„where were you?“ „bathing.“ Emma says with a grin.

„Mr. H. almost caught us.“ „Oh my god.“ Abigail gasps.

„who was with you?“

Emma smirkes, „wouldn’t you like to know?“

Kait’s changing behind her bunkbed, kinda hidden from us three and sighs at Emma’s antics, while throwing on her sleeping shirt and patting her hair dry.

„Jake, Dylan and Nick.“

„oh,“ Abigail says quietly as i get changed and climb up my bed, now on the same height as she was.

„don’t worry. nothing happened.“

„sure.“ Emma smirks.

„nothing with Nick,“ Kaitlyn corrected.

„hey, nothing else happened.“ „you and Jacob?“ Emma asks and Abigail sits up fully, she loved listening to our boy-gossip, and me and Emma had loads of it from high school and middle school.

„Eh? that was just…childhood friend stuff. right Kait?“

Kait scoffs from under me as she lays down.

„true childhood Jake would have pushed you in the second you said no.“

„no…he doesn’t do that anymore since that…guy almost drowned me during that party.“

„huh?!“ Emma and Abigail ask at the same time.

i sigh and Kait explains while her mattress creaks around.

„pool party, some guy was crushing on her, they were in the pool, he pushed her under and drunk as he was, almost didn’t let her get up in time. Jake threw him out after that.“

Well, he grabbed him by the neck to drag him out of the pool and onto the streets but that wasn’t the best anecdote. „It wasn’t even his party but he still threw him out. i think the owner was in his team i don’t know,“ i continue.

„Damn.“ Emma whispers and starts braiding her hair into two braids.

Abigail doesn’t say anything, she was just shocked.

„It nothing.“ „you could not be here with us today because of some guy!!“

„okay Ems, but it didn’t happen. let’s not jump into parallel universes. i’m too tired for that.“

Kait laughs.

„same. i’m going to kill Dylan if he interrupts my beauty sleep again.“

„i’m going to make the announcement with him tomorrow.“ „it’s actually already today.“ i hum, slightly annoyed, „right Abi. anyways. I’ll sleep. good night.“ „good night.“ sang Emma as she jumps into her bed and i laugh one last time before sleep takes me.

A/N: next chapter is going to be...more than this,  that’s all i can say lol. hope you liked it <3

[writersfearofrecognition]

Ignorance is bliss

Summary: Jacob and his childhood best friend slowly realise their feelings while trying to survive the quarry.

Pairing: Jacob Custos x nameless/female!OC

Warnings: jealousy, cringe dialogue, miscommunication trope, pure ignorance

TW: none i think (i hope, please tell me if there are i will gladly tag them)

Chapter 1:

„alright kids, go get your water bottles filled up and then go to…Ryan?“ i asked questionably while looking at Kaitlyn, my childhood best friend. she nodded without looking up from the clipboard in her hands.

the kids run off without another question, probably more than happy to get some rest after that hike.

„ugh.“ i kneel down and let my head hang. „DUDE! already tired?!“ Jacob yells as he jogs to us two, from the back of the camp. „10 miles, dude, 10…miles…“ „and 20 kids,“ Kaitlyn adds and i lay down completely, feeling the cold dirt under my shaking legs. „i can’t feel my feet anymore.“ Jacob laughs and kneels down next to me, blocking the sun from my face. „Come on, we have to start the party.“ „mhm,“ my eyes stay closed and he laughs even more. „alright Jake, your musk is ruining my mood, don’t you have to do something? away from us?“ i open my eyes again and see the little fall Jacob’s face makes. „Kaiti, knock it off. we all stink. me probably the most,“ i sigh and stand up, „come on jakey poo, let’s shower.“ Jacob frowns at that nickname, his daily reminder of his first drunk peeing accident during our freshmen year. „dude! i don’t smell,“ he almost pouts. „okay, i do and i don’t want some kids sneaking a look so you can stay watch.“ Kaitlyn scoffs at Jacob’s expression and turns around, concentrating on her work again.

„do i actually smell?“ „Yes, Jacob. we all do. that’s not why i wanted you to come with me,“ he paused and i could see the gears in his head turn, „huh?“

„because i want to hear the newest tea about you and Emma?“ „oh.“ he grinned and sat down on one of the benches turned away from me, while i undressed and got in the shower. „Now spill.“ „uh- we kissed…yesterday.“ „and?“ „well…it was nice. but she made clear that it’s just a summer fling. like…yeah. i agree.“ „really?“ i couldn’t believe he was that logical for once. „duh. our college is way further than hers, like 6 states or so. it won’t work. and…we had that plan for…ever and she has her plans…“ „huh,“ i peaked out of the shower, „you actually believe that? are you really that logical when it comes to love?“

„dude,“ he frowned at me and i couldn't keep my smile contained. „i’m just asking.“ „i worked hard for the scholarship. and we are not in love,“ he scoffs but i could hear a little something in his voice. „sure jakey poo.“ „alright. what about you and…drew?“ „Dylan,“ i corrected. He knows his name and was only asserting unnecessary dominance, typical footballer, „we are friends. he is 100% more gay than bi. and i am as you know, not in search of love a month away from the move. since i am,“ i come out the shower with a towel around me and stand in front of him, „that logical when it comes to love.“ he opens his eyes and gives me a questionable look. „senior-you would be impressed. you left a lot of broken heart around.“

„yeah? good that we’re leaving then huh,“ i say while getting out my new clothes that are more evening appropriate, as in black jeans and a white and black striped turtleneck sweater to keep the bugs away. i turn to the sink to apply the sunscreen and Jacob looks away again. my towel falls to the floor and i start to smear the cream around with a sigh. „how many days do we have left?“ „like 2.“ „damn dude.“ „damn Daniel.“ i snort at his ancient reference. „i think i will actually miss this.“ „really?“ „yeah. the hiking, the nature…the late night activities.“ he snorts now, „what are your late night activities?“ „well, the girls’ cabin is full of party when Emma’s…busy. the pillow fights we have had…“ i was lying straight through my teeth. But Dylan, Ryan, Kaitlyn and i have sneaked out more than once to meet up at the camp fire for deep discussions about god and the world. with the appropriate music of course. the main reason why me and Dylan were so close, was because of our similar music taste. „alright, sure dude. just say you’re jealous of me and go,“ he grins and my towel hits his face. „Dude!“ „i am most definitely not jealous of your summer fling. if i wanted to i could.“ „mhm.“ „What? Nick is a manwhore. Abigail deserves someone better.“ „Nick?“ Jacob asked quietly. „what?“

„is Nick even your type?“ i pause. …Nick was just a smidge taller than me, i liked them taller and bigger…and he was too ‚well, actually-‚ for me. „yeah,“ i shrugged and at the same time shrugged off the weird feeling i got the more i thought about my type. „huh.“ „what?“ „you flirted with my team and now you’re after the cook?“ „whaaat? i like food.“ he laughs and leans back, still with his eyes closed. „you like muscles more.“ „shut up.“ „eh.“ „alright, you never had a crush on anyone and now you’re telling me so found your soulmate in the woods?“ „soulmate?! we are not soulmates.“ „are we not jakey-boy?“ we both jump and scream in shock. „Emma! you scared me to death.“ she giggles and bows at the door before walking further inside. „Em…“ Jacob turns towards the door and opens his eyes, Emma’s are on me instead. She raises her eyebrows at the situation she caught the two of us in, but only jokingly, she told me all about the situation. Assuring that it was nothing more than a fling and she had no real hard feelings. Without me showing any interest in knowing but yeah. typical Emma. „i- was only joking.“ Emma hums and sits down on the other side of the bench, furthest away from Jacob. „what are you two doing?“

„i needed to shower, i smelled like a bear. he should too, but he’s aqua-phobic it seems.“ Emma smirks. „Is he?“ and finally looked at him. he looked like a goldfish, his mouth agape, not really sure what to say to not bust his chances. „i-.“ my sunscreen was dry so i throw on my sweater and grabs the rest of my belongings, including the towel in Jacob’s hands, ready to get away from the sexual tension. „i’ll leave you two, don’t do anything i wouldn’t do,“ i yell over my shoulder and walk out, bringing my old clothes to my cabin and then get to the campfire. i had begun this habit of thinking extra hard about my next steps, every time i knew Jacob and Emma were together… but my mind is busy the second i was down the stairs of my cabin again, since Dylan’s arm falls on my shoulder. „hey there Partygirl, ready for the almost last party?“ i hum and smile up at him, „ready as i’ll ever be.“ he grins and i continue, „and remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…“ he groans and pulls me to the lodge, where i meet Jacob’s…mad face while walking past the showers. did something go wrong with Emma? „guess what i’ve heard?“ Dylan got me out of my thoughts again. „eh yes?“ my eyes snap to him again and i can hear Jacob stomping down the stairs behind us. something definitely went wrong there. „The kids voted on the two best counsellors…and we two are in the lead.“

„me? against Emma?“ „yes ma’am.“ „damn.“ we walk over the small bridge crossing the river and his arms falls from my shoulder. we two walk on without it.

„but yeah. of course. we are the best. i would have never doubted us in a second,“ i exaggerate and he shakes his head. „a little more confidence, woman. i notice the looks you get.“ „mhm,“ my mind was elsewhere, Ryan and the kids were sailing on the lake. „look Ryan,“ i point to the lake and Dylan steps away from me immediately. i snort, „alright Dylan. i think Ryan noticed your crush a long time ago. no need to act like you are uninterested in women.“ „what?“ Dylan was busy waving at Ryan and the kids. „your sailor will come to shore eventually, don’t worry.“ Dylan sat down on the logs and got out the guitar from the tent, jamming along and turning it some more. i search for the lighter instead. without finding it. „hey dylan- oh hi guys.“ Emma, Jacob and Abigail were walking down the small hill, Jacob furthest away from Emma. „did any of you see the lighter?“ Emma gets it out of her pocket with a wink. „i won’t ask why you had that…should i check him for any markings?“ i joke but Jacob doesn’t listen, he’s deep in his thoughts. „…Jake?“ „wha-?“ „where were you just now?“ Emma asks grinning, mischievous sparkles in her eyes. Abigail gets away from their energy and instead helps me getting out the food and drinks from the tent. „we need more wood…“ Dylan mutters but makes no effort to gather any. typical. „well.“ i stem my hands in my hips and wanted to order Emma and Jacob to get more wood but she was faster than me. „You did enough here already, how about you and Jake walk to the stack and get it.“ i pause. why would she pass up that chance…? „alright…“ i exchange looks with Jacob, but he still seems far far away from me. mentally. he follows me without a word.

„jacob.“ he walked on, not noticing i stopped after we two were out of reach from the others. he looks back with a confused look, his eyes snap open once he sees how far away i am and comes back to me. „what’s wrong?“ he asks and i scoff. „i could ask you the same, what happened between you and Em in the shower house?“ he falters and his eyes dart around, not meeting my eyes. „i- well. it…maybe i was a little stupid and-.“ „you’re not stupid.“ „yeah i know, but- i think i messed up.“

„between you and Emma? what happened?“ „nothing- nothing,“ he shakes his head, „we just talked and she opened my eyes a little and…yeah. i need to think.“ „alright…“ i give him a weirded out but still smiling look, „you get all the time you need…but i want to hear your solution.“

i pat his shoulder with an encouraging smile. „yeah…yeah…you definitely will,“ he laughs awkwardly one last time and i give him a suspicious look which he doesn’t meet. i walk on but he stands still, so i drag him by the biceps until we were by the big wood pile of Mr. H. the stack of woods that i gather into my hands is promptly removed by Jacob. „hey-.“ „i’ll carry it. you’re still exhausted from the hike.“ „uh-,“ he doesn’t let any discussion happen so i stack the wood in his hands and we walk back without a word. when we’re back, everyone is already there and Dylan was playing the first song. Mr. H makes way for us and Jacob lets the pieces fall into the pit, the kids marvel at his strength and he plays it up a bit while we all laugh. his eyes skip Emma’s and fall to me for the first time during his usual posing and i frown confused. Emma gives me another wink and i laugh embarrassed. somehow she got the memo but i hadn’t. then Nick appears and yells for dinner and the moment is gone again. everyone, including Ryan, Dylan and Kaitlyn run for the lodge and Nick waits for me, as usual, but Jacob and Emma insert themselves into our conversation. Abigail walks next to me but doesn’t say anything; her glances say everything there is to know. „how was your day Nick?“ i ask and Jacob closes his, normally overly excited open mouth with a humph. „it was alright. i had time to walk around, saw you guys working,“ he laughs and i laugh as well. „really? we were pretty far out.“ „yeah i saw you at the beginning of the hike, i was on the way to…“ he pauses and i continue. „to the art station? because that’s where we started.“

„eh yeah. my feet just guided me.“ „mhmmm,“ i tease and Abigail’s big eyes snap towards me and i give her a small teasing push and an eyebrow wiggle once Nick looks away.

„you know, i bench pressed the kids today,“ Jacob looks towards Nick, me and Abigail as he said that, Emma was looking ahead with a smile, watching some kids wait for us. „really?“ Nick asked, „that’s a lot. i don’t believe that.“ „well. Kait is my witness.“ „i believe him,“ i mutter mindlessly, more watching the kids as well, „he bench presses a lot. like a lot a lot.“ „yeahhhh,“ Jacob puffs up his chest and grins while Nick shakes his head laughing. „okay, sure. your bff will always have your back. that’s not a credible source.“

„excuse you? are you insinuating i lie?“ Nick looks at me with a panicked look and backtracks immediately. „no- i mean when it comes to him, more likely, but-.“ „i’m joking Nick,“ i laugh, shaking my head and Jacob laughs. „can’t even tell when she’s joking…“ he gives me a look behind Nick’s back and i give him a mean look and roll my eyes. he always did that with Nick since the first day of camp, teasing and borderline bullying him. out of the corner out my eye i can see a black-haired woman wave at us. Kaitlyn. „Guys, come on, this isn’t high school, mommy won’t cook you more if you come late. you two should know that,“ she pointed at me and Jacob, most definitely hinting at the times where we were late for ‚family’ dinner aka the dinner all of our families shared on a monthly basis. „Okay, Okay Kait, don’t eat my food again!“ i run on and Jacob follows me immediately, catching me on the steps and throwing me over his shoulder. „i caught us a tasty dessert, kids,“ he yells once he kicked open the door, to Mr. H. disapproving look. but the kids love it. Jacob walks a victory lap with me and then jokingly almost throws me into the fireplace in the middle before setting me down. i hit his chest with a heave and sit down next to Kait, who already gathered my food. „Dude, not for me?“

„no can do, my loyalty is only enough for one meal.“ „wow,“ he deadpans and gets his food alone at the station.

In the meantime our bench got full with little admiring kids and he had to sit down elsewhere. i did not really notice, i was too busy entertaining the kids with stories about the fearless Kaitlyn.

A/N: this is a pretty old fic i wrote and left forgotten in my notes but it is finished so i wanted to share it :) i will post the other parts eventually, with some edits and what not since the formatting here is pretty off compared to my usual writing program.

anyways.

hope you liked it!